US, Brunei military ties will continue to be close
on: November 15, 2016
| James Kon |

THROUGH 22 years of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Exercise, the military relationship between Brunei Darussalam and the United States is outstanding, and will continue to be close, said Rear Admiral Don Gabrielson, the Commander of Task Force 73, who is currently in the country for the joint exercise.

Rear Admiral Gabrielson was speaking to the local press yesterday, following the launching of the 22nd annual CARAT maritime drill at the Training Centre of the Royal Brunei Navy in Muara.

During the interview, Rear Admiral Gabrielson said, “CARAT is important for our 170-year-old relationship with Brunei, and these exercises are good for several things such as training maritime enforcement and the marine forces.

“In addition, the exercise is important in the building of new friendships for the future leaders of our militaries, so that they will continue to work together not only today, but for years to come.”

Rear Admiral Gabrielson reiterated that CARAT is an important dimension for both Brunei Darusslam and the United States, as countries with a common interest of shared security in the region and around the world.

When asked whether the CARAT exercises would continue in the years to come, he replied, “It’s an important relationship-building tool for both countries. We have every reason to believe the exercise will be continued, and we are very excited about that.”

CARAT is a bilateral exercise series between the United States Navy and the armed forces of nine partner nations in South and Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste.

The CARAT Exercise aims to enhance regional military-to-military cooperation, building friendship and strengthening professional skills among participating forces. As one of the original CARAT partners, the Royal Brunei Armed Forces has been part of the naval training exercises since it began in 1995.

Members of the public can also watch joint military band performances at 8pm tonight, in the Times Square Shopping Centre; at the Brunei Shell Recreation Club (BSRC) in Seria, tomorrow; and at the Jerudong Park Playground on Friday night.

DESPITE first making its appearance in the Sultanate during the 1940s, Kuih Mor continues to be a household favourite today as a tea time snack or festive treat particularly during Hari Raya Aidil Fitri.

Siti Norhafizah Hj Bagol, a final year student at Universiti Brunei Darussalam who researched on Kuih Mor as part of her Brunei Traditional Industry module, said the three-ingredient sweet treat may have existed in Brunei as early as the 1940s when padi was known to have been grown to make different food items.

Over time, the cookie has also become a popular door-gift choice often handed out at Malay weddings or gatherings, said Siti Norhafizah.

Made with flour, oil and granulated sugar which have been ground into a powder, the bite-sized biscuits have a crumbly texture and are coated with powdered sugar.

The age-old technique of making Kuih Mor by hand has however changed over the course of time, with many now opt…

BY COMMAND of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Prime Minister’s Office hereby announces that His Majesty has consented to the transfer and appointment of the following senior officers – Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid, Permanent Secretary (Law and Welfare) at the Prime Minister’s Office as well as the Director of Anti-Corruption Bureau and Solicitor General has been transferred to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports as the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports; and Datin Elinda binti Haji CA Mohamed, Special Senior Duties Officer, Ministry of Home Affairs has been appointed as Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office and Director of Anti-Corruption Bureau.